5 Reasons Westminster was wrong to block devolution of the Crown Estate in Wales

Let’s break down the main reasons why many argue that profits from the Crown Estate should go to the Welsh people, as they already do in Scotland.

1. Devolution Parity and Fairness

In Scotland, the profits from the Crown Estate’s assets (lands, seabeds, and rights over natural resources) were devolved in 2016 under the Scotland Act 2016. This means the Scottish Government and Parliament now manage those assets, and the profits go directly to Scottish public finances.

By contrast, in Wales, the Crown Estate remains managed by the UK Treasury in London, with its profits going to the UK Exchequer, not the Welsh Government — even though the assets are physically located in Wales.

The fairness argument: If Scotland has control over and benefits financially from its own natural resources, Wales should be treated equally within the UK’s devolved system.

2. Economic Self-Determination and Local Benefit

The Crown Estate in Wales holds significant assets — especially offshore wind and marine energy rights in Welsh waters. These are poised to become major sources of income in the coming decades.

Currently, profits from these go to the UK Treasury, not to Wales.

If control were devolved, revenues could be reinvested directly into Welsh communities, for example:

-Developing coastal infrastructure, ports, and green energy hubs.

-Supporting local employment in renewable industries.

-Funding environmental protection and coastal adaptation projects.

In other words: local resources should bring local benefits.

3. Environmental and Economic Strategy Alignment

The Welsh Government has ambitious policies around sustainable development, renewable energy, and community ownership (under the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015).

However, without control of the Crown Estate, Wales cannot fully align the use of its seabed or coastal resources with its own environmental or economic goals.

Devolving the Estate would enable a coherent, joined-up approach to green growth, energy transition, and local economic planning — rather than relying on London-based decisions.

4. Democratic Accountability

The Crown Estate is currently accountable to Westminster, not to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament).

Many argue that assets within Wales should be managed by bodies answerable to the people of Wales, not by distant institutions with limited understanding of local priorities.

This fits within the broader principle of subsidiarity: decisions should be made as close as possible to the people affected by them.

5. Symbolic and Constitutional Balance

Devolving the Crown Estate would also signal that Wales is an equal partner in the UK’s family of nations, not a lesser one.

Symbolically, it reflects trust in Welsh governance and a step toward a more balanced, federal-style union — something often cited by constitutional experts as necessary to maintain the UK’s stability.

In summary

Profits from the Crown Estate should go to the Welsh people because:

It’s a matter of fairness and parity with Scotland.

It would give Wales economic control over its natural resources.

It aligns with Wales’s devolved responsibilities and sustainability goals.

It enhances local accountability and democratic legitimacy.

It reinforces constitutional balance and national confidence within the UK.

Sign YesCymru’s petition to demand devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales!